About 300 people brought traffic to a standstill in downtown Tauranga this morning, as they marched on Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges' electorate office to protest his decision to allow oil exploration in a marine sanctuary that is home to the rare Maui's dolphin.

The protest was organised by former weather presenter and Rotorua Labour candidate Tamati Coffey and representatives from the Internet, Mana and Green parties also spoke.